FLOOD WALL DELAYS GO ON

Environmental experts say the long hot summer could make way for heavy rains this autumn.

A spokesman from government department Defra said: 'Climate change has the potential to increase probability of flooding due to increases in sea level. The recent surge in temperatures can have a knock-on effect by melting ice caps, which increases water levels, and can also potentially change the frequency, duration and intensity of storms.'

Uckfield, which is prone to flash-flooding, was severely inundated six years ago after the River Uck burst its banks following weeks of rainfall. People were forced to leave their homes and businesses, and damage costing an estimated 19 million to repair was caused.

Since then, campaigners have been calling for better flood defences for the town and a proposal to build a 600,000 flood wall around the Somerfield car park was drawn up by the Environment Agency last October.

Although the wall was not considered ideal by campaigners it was felt any defence would be better than none at all. However, before work could begin in January, supermarket Somerfield made a compensation claim against the Environment Agency for loss of trade during the construction period and a considerable length of time afterwards.

The total claim dwarfed the 600,000 cost of the wall and the agency said it could not afford to meet these costs. Although negotiations between the two parties continue, the plans have been put on hold indefinitely which means Uckfield will be left unprotected for yet another year.

A spokesman for Somerfield said: 'We are legally entitled to compensation which we intend to claim. Our claim has been calculated by qualified, professional valuers.'